Posted: Dec 4, 2017 2:45pm ET

In doing so it provided a sober reminder of the
devastation caused by the harvest blazes: 44 people killed, more than 9,000
homes and businesses lost, nearly 100,000 people displaced from their
residences, with a recovery price tag estimated at $6 billion.

Saturday's charity wine and dinner auction, "A
Night of Friendship & Neighbors," raised $3.4 million and demonstrated the
two communities' support for victims and the need for monetary relief (Wine Spectator was a co-sponsor of the
event). The figure that jumped out for me after weeks and months of processing
the enormity of destruction was the bottom-line need: $6 billion.

Even if someone could cut a check for that amount,
it will be years before there's equilibrium between forces. The damage has been
done. Recovery poses the greater challenge, but it has begun in earnest. Not
only in the two North Coast wine communities but in countless fund-raising
efforts around the globe. The internationalization of the wine community is on
full display.

Nothing brings Americans closer together than
disaster and the urgency to rebound. It will be a long, long road back. Many
people in wine country and parts of communities will never recover. But the
determination not to surrender to what seems an insurmountable chasm is
heartening and inspiring. The first steps to rebuild and rejuvenate have begun.

Kyle Barrios

New York — January 2, 2018 7:38pm ET

Hello and thank you for the update. As someone with friends in Napa Valley, it is comforting to know the recovery is in full effect. We are doing our part by visiting and supporting Napa wineries and as it turns out, my organization, iconexion, is having it's 6th annual Napa conference taking place on April 11-13 at the Andaz. We look forward to continuing to support and help our friends thrive in their recovery. We invite Wine Spectator to join us!

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